Beneath great halls of silver steel,
Where daylight filters through to reveal,
Missebo rises again in all its glory,
A renovated market with a brand new story.
The president wished to offer something better,
To relocate, rebuild, down to the letter,
Gone are the dusty stalls soaked by the rain,
Now bright and luminous great halls remain.
Translucent rooftops let the sunshine pour,
Ceiling fans spin gently, keeping cool the floor,
Fresh clean concrete welcomes every step,
Of thousands of visitors who come to prep.
Shoes everywhere, piled up in mountains high,
Nike, Adidas, golden sandals catch the eye,
White sneakers, heels and leather moccasins too,
Hung on wire grids for everyone to view.
Hands dive in, rummage, lift and compare,
People try things on right there, without a care,
For here the prices are as sweet as honey,
Second-hand shopping is an art worth your money.
Hanging garments dance in the warm breeze,
Colorful t-shirts, dresses, trousers, all with ease.
From Europe, America or distant Asia they came,
Finding here a second life, a brand new name.
The Moov Africa banner waves up high and proud,
Symbol of a Benin moving forward through the crowd.
Motorcycle taxis wait patiently outside,
Ready to carry happy shoppers on each ride.
You who travel, you who explore this earth,
Come and set your feet on this soil of great worth,
Cotonou awaits you with its blazing sun, And Missebo offers treasures for everyone.
For traveling means touching something real and true.
Feeling the heartbeat of a people strong and new,
And in this market vibrant, living, and sincere,
You will find all of Benin shining bright and clear.
š Missebo Market ā Cotonou, Benin